Is total worry and panic about kids normal???

[charitymum]

I worry a lot about my two DDs. And indeed my own health to the point I think of hypochondria.

Certainly I have been ill - nasty womb infection post miscarriage and six months of subsequent UTIs and tests. I also have a v stressful job and dodgy marriage.

Also youngest daughter has started to have hives (for the last 3 weeks) and which Mumsnet folk have been really helpful on.

I am getting to point tho where I am unsure if I have healthy fears or am just totally going OTT. I have times when convinced I am going to die (have had CT scans recently because of UTI)and I cannot function because of fears. Likewise convinced DD has cancer or lupus rather than more likely 'just hives' (given she is the sportiest kid you know with biggest appetite and never gets infections this is slightly more likely).

My rational head kicks in, usually, but I am increasingly 'losing it'. Unable to think, function, make informaed choices, leave kids to go to work, sleep or laugh.

At what point is this not just normal motherhood???

I know some people have real problems - I spend my day job working to help them - so I don't want to over react but I really worry that I am starting to lost it.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Sounds like you're really struggling with anxiety. When you've had a painful and traumatic experience it's common to project all your fears, worries and unresolved experiences onto your own health and that of those around you, especially if you lack emotional support. I had health anxiety after my mother died and was convinced I was dying of all sorts of ailments. CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) on the NHS really helped me get it into perspective and under control.

It's important to open up about it, so well done for coming on here. Maybe a good next step could be talking to a close friend about it, and also to see your GP and ask to be referred for some counselling? Don't feel like your problems don't matter - they are just as real and important as anyone else's.

I think it's normal to worry to a certain extent, but it sounds like your worry has gone beyond that point and has turned into serious anxiety that is affecting your day-to-day functioning.
It's totally understandable given what you've been through. How awful to have to go through those things.
Hope you get the help you need xxx